Dehradun is the perfect base for exploring the Garhwal Himalaya. Within a few hours’ drive you can reach hilltop temples, forest treks, sunrise points and quiet valleys that most tourists never see. This page brings together all our Dehraduni guides in one place, written from our own trips, with routes, timings and tips for each.
Use the quick table to pick a trip by time and interest, then open the full guide for directions and practical details.
Quick Guide: Day Trips and Weekend Trips from Dehradun
| Place | Where | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matogi Shiv Temple | Vikasnagar side, about 20 km beyond Langha | Half day | Giant Shiva statue, Himalayan views |
| Bhadraj Temple | About 14 km west of Mussoorie | Full day | Trek, meadows, Doon valley views |
| Dehradun to Chakrata drive | About 90 km via Vikasnagar and Kalsi | Full day or overnight | Road trip, green pastures, Kalsi edict |
| Kunjapuri Temple | About 25 km from Rishikesh | Half day (go for sunrise) | Shakti Peeth, sunrise over the Himalaya |
| Rahu Mandir, Paithani | About 50 km beyond Pauri | Overnight | One of India’s rare Rahu temples |
| Kartik Swami Temple | Rudraprayag district | 2–3 days | Ridge-top Kartikeya temple, Himalayan panorama |
Half-Day Trips from Dehradun
Matogi Shiv Temple, Vikasnagar
Half day · Vikasnagar side · Short walk at the end
A tall statue of Lord Shiva in meditation sits on a hilltop at about 1,578 m, with nine Shiva lingas and wide views of the hills. The last stretch is a short footpath from the parking area.
Kunjapuri Temple, near Rishikesh
Half day · About 25 km from Rishikesh · Around 300 steps
A revered Shakti Peeth on a hilltop above Narendra Nagar, famous for sunrise over the Garhwal Himalaya and the Bhagirathi valley. Start very early and carry a light jacket.
Full-Day Trips
Bhadraj Temple Trek, Mussoorie
Full day · About 14 km west of Mussoorie · Altitude about 2,230 m
A white temple of Lord Balbhadra on a grassy hilltop, reached by a forest trek. On clear days you see the Doon valley on one side and snow peaks on the other.
Dehradun to Chakrata Road Trip
Full day or overnight · About 90 km · Around 3 hours each way
Green pastures with the Mussoorie hills behind, the Ashokan rock edict at Kalsi, and the quiet cantonment town of Chakrata among deodar forests.
Weekend and Longer Trips
Rahu Mandir, Paithani (Pauri Garhwal)
Overnight · About 50 km beyond Pauri
One of the very few temples in India dedicated to Rahu, with an ancient stone Shiva temple and the Rahu Shila rock beside the river.
Kartik Swami Temple
2–3 days · Rudraprayag district
A ridge-top temple of Lord Kartikeya with a sweeping view of the Himalayan peaks, reached by a short trek.
Planning a bigger pilgrimage? Read our guide to the Char Dham Yatra: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. And if you want to see Mussoorie in winter, look at our photos of January snow in Mussoorie.
Tips for Day Trips from Dehradun
- Start early. Roads are emptier, light is better and hilltops are clearer before noon.
- Check the weather. During the monsoon (July to September) landslides can close hill roads.
- Carry layers. Even when Dehradun is warm, hilltops can be cold and windy.
- Fuel and cash. Fill up in the city and carry some cash; small villages may not take cards.
- Respect the places. Temples are active places of worship, and the cows, bulls and other animals you meet on the way are cared for by local families. Do not feed them or leave litter behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which places can I visit near Dehradun in one day?
Matogi Shiv Temple, Kunjapuri Temple and Bhadraj Temple are all good day trips from Dehradun. The drive to Chakrata can also be done in a day if you start early.
What are the best offbeat places near Dehradun?
Matogi Shiv Temple near Vikasnagar, the Bhadraj Temple trek beyond Mussoorie and the green pastures on the road to Chakrata are lovely and far less crowded than the usual tourist spots.
Which temples near Dehradun are good for sunrise?
Kunjapuri Temple near Rishikesh is the best-known sunrise point. Bhadraj Temple also has wide views early in the morning on clear days.
What is the best time to visit places near Dehradun?
October to early December and March to June are the most pleasant months. Winters bring cold mornings and sometimes snow on the higher hills, and the monsoon can disrupt hill roads.
We add new guides regularly. Follow us on Instagram @dehraduni1 and YouTube @dehraduni for the next one.